Art and Business Blend at Screen-Printer

Originally reported for NCC News, November 15, 2010.

Multi Image Corp is a Syracuse small business that specializes in screen-printing.

Multi Image has been in business for more than 35 years and owner/manager, Bill Russell says that despite the recent economy, his business has not been harmed.

“In fact, our business in the last year has been better than normal,” said Russell.

Part of the reason for that is what the owner calls a good product, but another part is Chuck Westfall who has worked here since 1978.

He started working for Multi Image when his waivered on accepting the job. He is a local artist specializing in offset printing.

Westfall said he feels that screen-printing offers freedom, allowing him to keep in touch with his artistic background while maintaining steady employment.

How will you survive the Winter

The Fall season is upon us and winter will be here in just a few weeks. Students attending Syracuse University come from all over the world. Some have never seen snow and most have never been through a Syracuse winter.

How do you prepare for the snow and what do you wear? We asked students and faculty how they plan on preparing for this winter. The experienced said to dress in layers, wear a t-shirt, a sweater on top of that and a jacket. For the legs and feet, they suggested wearing long johns and weatherproof shoes with thick socks.

According to the Farmer Almanac, “Syracuse was selected as the city with the worst winter because it last so long.” How well will you be prepare for this winter?

Syracuse Beer Week

Originally reported for NCC News on November 09, 2010.

The Third Annual Syracuse Beer Week kicked off on Sunday and will continue until the finale on Saturday the 13th. The Primary goal of Syracuse Beer Week is to enhance beer knowledge and appreciation throughout a series of events that are being hosted within the Greater Syracuse area. During the week over 100 local bars, restaurants, caterers, retailers, and entertainers will be offering samples of many unique beers from the local area and around the world.

Many restaurants have specials on their menus to compliment a certain beer that they will be offering. Other establishments offer free beer mugs with a purchase of a specialty drink.

According to Patty Sheridan, a General Manager at Syracuse Suds Factory, says "The Primary goal of Syracuse beer week is to enhance beer knowledge and appreciation throughout a series of events that are being hosted throughout the great Syracuse area." she also said the biggest attraction for customers during the event is the

special on beer that certain establishments will have. This will give customers a chance to try a certain beer that they would not normally try.

Beer Week is presented by Great Brewers, a web site community about beer, connecting people around comunites and around the world thru beer.

Don't Fear the Snow

Jarid Watson, NCC News



Well all you first-year non-resident Syracuse University students, it's inevitable. Like it or not, winter IS coming. According to the National Climactic Data Center, Syracuse averages more than 115-inches of snow a year. That statistic might have you feeling a bit nervous.



Scott Casenova a life-long Syracuse resident says,"Everybody just kind of you know, moans and complains and you know, the first thing they do when they get up is look at the thermometer. Like, just expect that it's going to be cold and windy, especially you know, December on."



So basically, he's saying you're just going to have to tough it out. Have no fear though - for Scott - this local guy on the street has a couple of tips.



He says it's simple: put snow tires on your vehicle so you don't slide all over the slippery roads - and - dress in layers to stay warm outside, then de-layer yourself when you head back indoors.



That sounds simple enough, right? Scott says sometimes people might over-react a bit though.



"My favorite thing honestly is the first time it snows, you'll see a bunch of students with umbrellas and it just makes me laugh."



O.K., so it's a bit of humor at the expense of others, but what Scott may have been getting at is if you stay calm and follow a few tips from some of the locals, you'll make it through the winter just fine.

Call it the Square Dance

Ever Wednesday night Square Dance Caller and Instructor Ron Brown gives a lesson in Square Dancing to a group of students at Andrews Memorial Church in North Syracuse. The class is one of many that Mr. Brown leads all over New York.

It starts off with the Mainstream class for about 22 weeks. After the students graduate that course they can become members of the North Syracuse Square Group, or they can just continue on to the Plus class to learn more advanced moves.

The point of the lessons is to teach the students the calls that the Caller is singing during the dance. Each call lets the dancers know what moves they will be performing. the dance requires that all eight people know the calls, because partners change at any given moment. All Square Dances are called in English so no matter where the students go they will be able to understand the caller.

Mr. Brown started Square Dancing because of his wife. He didn't want to initially, but he gave it a chance and he really enjoyed it. Another bonus for Mr. Brown is that he gets to sing, which he loves and he doesn't need a band to do it. This class at the church is his smallest class, and his largest class is in Rochester, NY. The biggest reward for him is know the people he sees out of the dance floor are having a good time and he taught them how to do it.

For him its not just about the dance. Mr. Brown wrote an article titled "Square Dance to Better Health." In the article he explains the health benefits of Square Dancing. He says it's good light aerobic exercise and that Square Dancing for about two hours is equivalent to walking five miles.

Not only is it good light aerobic exercise, but it's also a good way to meet people. Most people the take Square Dancing lessons are couples, and the dance requires a lot of teamwork so most people end up bonding over the course of the lessons. Some go on to further that connection with more people by becoming members of the North Syracuse Square Group when they graduate the main course. This helps them branch out to meet more people and dance with others that are at their level.

Square Dancing began in New England, but not many people know that Henry Ford was responsible for Square Dancing's rise in popularity back in the 1940's. This is the same Henry Ford that started the Ford Motor Company. Ford along with dance instructor Benjamin Lovett worked hard to spread the dance around the U.S.

Organically Hip

There is a new type of business making its first appearance at the Pride of New York Harvestfest at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Two years ago when Angela Murphy and Maria Euceda packed their kids off to their first day of school they decided to sell baked good and homemade vanilla extract at the regional farmers market. After six months their business grew to what is now known as Organically Hip.

Organically Hip specializes in premade cookie mixes made completely with locally acquired organic ingredients. They also offer a microwavable brownie mix for the college students, a pecan waffle mix, and a variety of gluten-free mixes as well. Maria said "the concept is bringing convenience to home aid and quality to convenience."

Angela and Maria juggle the responsibilities of being mothers and running a business. Angela told us "Its been very tough but it is great, we get to set our own schedules."

Organically Hip will also be present at the Albany Harvestfest and can be found in a variety of stores spread across three states.

Harvest Fest Highlights New Yorks Local Growers

A taste of New York came to the state fairgrounds this weekend in the form of the annual Harvest Fest. Local growers and merchants brought out their wares for samples galore. Food aficionados were able to sample everything from locally grown produce to beers and wines made right here in New York state.

Dan O'Hara, event coordinator says the purpose of the festival is to make New Yorkers aware that locally produced foodstuffs are not only a fresher alternative to foods shipped from other areas but that it is also an important way to stimulate the states economy.

The festival also gives local start up businesses such as Organically Hip cookies, makers of pre-packaged cookie kits, the opportunity to increase customer awareness of their products.

The Harvest Fest, which is in it's second year, continues through November 13th and is free of charge.